Embassy News

US official visiting Cyprus - President says this does not signal a new initiative 2005-04-27 11:32:19

Nicosia, Apr 27 -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that he is scheduled to meet with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Ms Laura Kennedy in Nicosia on Thursday, 5 May, noting that the meeting was part of the routine briefing the US had with regard to developments in Cyprus.

Invited by reporters to say if he considered the visit the start of new moves on Cyprus, President Papadopoulos replied: “No, I do not think so”, pointing out that “we know very well that the US has an interest in developments in Cyprus”.

“Our position is that every development on Cyprus is under the auspices of the UN that have the first word”, he stressed. Responding to other questions, the President said he did not know whether Ms Kennedy’s visit would be followed by a visit of a UN official.

Moreover, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said: “Ms Laura Kennedy will depart May 1st for travel to Ankara, Athens, Nicosia, Brussels and London, and the purpose of her trip is to consult with parties on the way forward regarding a Cyprus settlement as well as on bilateral issues”, adding that “our position is that the Annan plan offers the best way forward for a resolution of the Cyprus issue and we are working to encourage movement by both parties in support of that plan”.

Replying to a question on whether this was a new initiative, Mr Ereli said "it is a continuation of existing efforts".